Angus Fraser named new England selector

James Whitaker’s promotion to the post of national selector, following the retirement of Geoff Miller, created a vacancy in Whitaker’s old job.

Fraser, the Middlesex director of cricket will work alongside Whitaker and England’s limited-overs coach Ashley Giles.

“I am delighted to welcome Angus Fraser on to the selection panel,” Whitaker said today.

“Gus has been heavily involved in cricket for many years as a player and an administrator. He brings integrity and the wealth of knowledge that we will need as we look to identify the players across all formats who can thrive in the international environment.”

Fraser played 46 Tests and 42 ODIs for England in an international career that spanned almost a decade as well as representing Middlesex between 1984 and 2002.

Former England off-spinner John Emburey and Geoff Cook, the long-time Durham director of cricket, were also understood to have applied along with Chris Adams, who left Surrey midway through last summer.

Fraser, whose role at Middlesex will be unaffected, said: “I am chuffed to be involved and am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“As a player, I always took great pride in representing England and I am delighted to be given another chance to contribute.

“Despite the doom and gloom after this winter’s Ashes, I believe it’s a really exciting time to be involved in the England set-up.

“There is a real chance to create something, and there are a lot of talented young cricketers within the county game.”

England are trying to put in place the pieces of a new regime about which there is suddenly much uncertainty. Giles is coach for the forthcoming limited-overs matches in the Caribbean, as well as for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, but he is thought to have received no guarantees about the job in the long term.

Fraser will have his work cut out in the early weeks of the county season to try to find players suitable of stepping into the side for the two Tests against Sri Lanka in June, and the five matches that follow against India later in the summer.

There is, however, mildly encouraging news about Steve Finn, the fast bowler who was sent home early from the tour of Australia after losing confidence and rhythm. The 24-year-old has been in pre-season training with Middlesex for the last two weeks and is thought to have rediscovered some of his enjoyment for the game.

Paul Collingwood is set to be named assistant coach for England’s tour to the West Indies and the T20 World Cup.

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